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Bishop Douglas' Comments on & Prayers for Welcoming Refugees in New London
Bishop Ian was invited to offer comments and an opening prayer at a press conference on Thursday, February 2 in New London. Mayor Michael Passero called the press conference, and several faith and civic community leaders gathered to reaffirm the city's commitment to welcoming refugees and immigrants.
Bishops Ian and Laura released a letter on January 30 and a follow up letter on February 2 discussing ECCT's commitment to both welcoming the stranger, refugee, and immigrant, and supporting those that keep our borders and our country peaceful and safe. |
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New England Dioceses and the Diocese of Atlanta raised over $27,500 for Episcopal Relief & Development
 The Super Bowl may be over, and many of us in New England may be cheering for the Patriots' victory, but the real winner was Episcopal Relief & Development. Thanks to individuals and communities around the seven New England dioceses (Massachusetts, Western Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) and the Diocese of Atlanta, $27,577 was raised before Sunday's kickoff at 6:30 p.m.
The "Episcopal Showdown" began early last week with the intention that friendly competition would drive support Episcopal Relief & Development, which seeks to "mobilize local resources and expertise toward sustainable, community-led programs that address poverty, hunger and disease."
Learn more about Episcopal Relief & Development here, and plan your own fundraising competition (or "showdown") here. |
Episcopal Church Advisory Council for the Stewardship of Creation accepts applications for grants
The Advisory Council on the Stewardship of Creation is accepting applications again for grants that focus on local faith-based projects for mitigating climate change and safeguarding the integrity of Creation.
 Grants up to $10,000 will be considered; Episcopal institutions are eligible to receive funds. Possible projects may have focuses that:
- Find and establish connections between eco- and social justice
- Engage the local community as partners and participants, fostering cooperation between communities of faith, civic, scientific and educational organizations
- Have specific outcomes which create lasting impact
- Enhance faith formation and social understanding
- and more!
Learn more about the guidelines, possible projects, and application process here.
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ECCT Disaster Ministry Network Louisiana Flood Relief Spring Work Trip
The ECCT Disaster Ministry Network is planning a trip to do flood relief work in Louisiana in the spring of 2017. The trip would be ten days long (including driving time). The work would be largely cleaning out houses affected by the floods in August of 2016. The cost would be approximately $500 per person, scholarship funds are available.
More information on the floods in Louisiana can be found here. If you are interesting in participating in the trip, please email Mike Corey.
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Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary to visit Hartford this Saturday
 Join the community of St. James Parish, Farmington this Saturday, February 11 at 4:00 p.m. to welcome the Very Reverend Dr. Ian S. Markham. Markham was appointed as Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary in August 2007. The conversation will focus on the mystery and strength of Anglican Spirituality; the unique blessing of the Anglican approach to spiritual life and practice. A reception and refreshments will be served after the conversation.
Dean Markham was previously Dean and Professor of Theology and Ethics at Hartford Seminary. He also served as Visiting Professor of Globalization, Ethics, and Islam at Leeds Metropolitan University, in the United Kingdom. Dean Markham is the author of many books, including Against Atheism: Why Dawkins, Hitchens, and Harris are Fundamentally Wrong; Liturgical Life to Principles; Christ and Culture: Communion After Lambeth; and An Introduction to Said Nursi: Life, Thought, and Writings. Dean Markham is married to Lesley Markham and they have one son, Luke, who serves as Priest Associate at St. Paul's Church in Alexandria, VA.
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River of Life: Connecticut River Pilgrimage, Summer 2017
 The River of Life: Connecticut River Pilgrimage will be held May 31 - July 9, 2017. This is a 40-day trip on the Connecticut River from its source in northern New Hampshire to the Atlantic Ocean in Connecticut.
The Episcopal Churches of New England, the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Kairos Earth, in partnership with local, statewide, and regional organizations along the Connecticut River, are organizing the first-ever pilgrimage along the length of the river.
The pilgrimage is open to anyone; people of all backgrounds, faiths, and beliefs are welcome. Learn more here.
Bishop Ian Douglas has convened a working group, primarily from churches near or on the Connecticut River to help organize stops in CT. If you are interested in helping the ECCT planning team, reach out to Jo Brooks: jbrooks@kairosearth.org. More information about ECCT's involvement to come.
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Holy Land Lenten Materials coming soon!
 Arising from Diocesan Convention Resolution #5 - Our Holy Land passed last fall, Lenten materials will be available to assist ECCT members connect with the peoples, promise, and history of the Holy Land. Reflections, stories, and weekly Prayers of the People will be available. Stay tuned for details.
Ash Wednesday is March 1! |
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Interfaith Ministry Network's first gathering, next week!
The first gathering of the new Interfaith Ministry Network will be Saturday, February 18 at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, West Haven. This new Ministry Network will focus on learning about different faith traditions, engaging in interfaith dialogue, developing partnerships, and engaging in a variety of interfaith activities.
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Positions Open
Job openings may be found here on the website.
NOTE: Applicants will be able to submit their resume and cover letter to the contact person directly from the ECCT website, if that option is chosen by the person submitting the position for posting.
- Organist/Choir Director, St. George's, Bolton. Link here.
- Associate for Caring Ministries, St. Stephen's, Ridgefield. Link here.
- Director of Music, Trinity, Collinsville. Link here.
- Organist/Director of Music, St. Luke's, New Haven. Link here.
- Director of Children's Ministry, Trinity, Southport. Link here.
- Part-time Organist, Christ Church, Quaker Farms. Link here.
- Director of Christian Education, St. Paul's, Wallingford. Link here.
To submit a job opening to be included here, please fill out this form. Jobs will be reviewed and then posted in the weekly enews and posted on the website.
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Announcements & Reminders
Register now for the Winter Weekend (ages 7-12) February 17-19 at Camp Washington. Registration ($150) link here. Next up (registration is open): Happening Weekend (high school sophomores - seniors) March 24 - 26.
Parochial Reports 101 meetings, held by the ECCT Finance Office at The Commons, please RSVP to one for one of the following dates: ( Parochial Reports are due March 1)
- TONIGHT: Tuesday, February 7, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, February 10, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, February 21, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Interactive web conference on trauma, Tuesday, February 27. Join others in the Episcopal Province of New England for an online event titled "What Volunteers Need to Know about the Trauma of Poverty & Public Health." Topics will include trauma of childhood poverty, how trauma affects students and schools, and ways to serve schools with students in poverty. The web discussion will be held online at 7:00 p.m. Learn more here.
 Companion in Mission Conference, March 4 at St. John's West Hartford. This conference will focus on refugees and migration, across the street & around the world. Please register for this event, registration is $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
 Embracing Stewardship: an ecumenical conference offed by The Northeast Ecumenical Stewardship Council will be March 24-25 in Boxborough, MA. The topic of the conference will focus on "How to put stewardship at the heart of your congregation's life." More information and registration available here.
Spring Training and Gathering: April 1, register today. The 2017 Gathering will take place Saturday, April 1 at Lincoln Middle School, Meriden from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please have a look at the 2017 Workshop Booklet containing information about all of the workshops. Learn more and register for Spring Training & Gathering here. Register by March 5 for a $15.00 registration fee, prices go up after March 5.
 Self-exploration and Enneagram retreat at Sewanee: The Beecken Center of the School of Theology at the University of the South & the Institute for Conscious Being present "Who am I really? Discerning Aspects of the Soul Through the Spirituality of the Enneagram, " April 20-22. More information available here.
Missional Voices National Gathering/Conference: April 21-22, at VTS seminary. The conference will include keynote presentations, panel discussions, and "incubator" sessions where people can begin thinking about what God is doing in their neighborhoods and how they can participate in God's mission there. More details are available here.
Upcoming grant deadlines:
Due Feb 10: 2017-2018 Conant Grants from The Episcopal Church: info here. Due March 15: Mission Development Fund grant applications: info here. Due April 1: Sustainable Development Fund grant applications: info here.
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Events coming up soon
Events below are coming up in the next few weeks:
REGION & ECCT OFFERINGS
The ECCT calendar is located here. It allows you to filter events by category and includes a subscribe link at the bottom of the page. Specific details including locations, times, etc. will also be found there.
- February 7, Parochial Reports 101
- February 7, Camp Washington board meeting
- February 8, Confirmation Dinner with the Bishops
- February 9, Clergy Day -- New Canaan
- February 10, Parochial Reports 101
- February 14, Convention Planning Team meeting
- February 15, Commission on Ministry
- February 16, Women Clergy Breakfast & Book Study
- February 16, Clericus--Southwest Region
- February 16, Standing Committee
- February 20, THE COMMONS IS CLOSED
- February 21, Parochial Reports 101
- February 21, Interim Rector Meeting
BISHOPS' SUNDAY VISITS
- February 12, Christ Church, Easton (Ahrens)
- February 19, St. Michael's, Naugatuck (Ahrens); St. Luke's, Darien (Douglas)
- February 26, Trinity, Seymour (Douglas)
PARISH EVENTS A complete Parish Events Calendar is available here.
Having an event? Please submit Parish events here.
Reach out to the specific parish for event updates, specific locations, and further details. Season-specific regular worship services will not be listed below.
- February 11, Anglican Spirituality conversation, St. James, Farmington
- February 11, VOCES8 Concert, Christ & Holy Trinity, Westport
- February 12, Oboe Duo Agusto Concert, St. John's, Vernon
- February 15, Life Line Health Screening, Church of the Good Shepherd, Orange
- February 17, Faith on Fire, Christ Church, Greenwich
- February 20, Bible Study: A Tale of Two Cities, Holy Trinity, Enfield
- February 18: Interfaith Ministry Network first meeting
- Save the date: March 5, Community Gardens Meeting
- Save the date: March 7, Heathcare Chaplains Meeting
UPCOMING SAFE CHURCH TRAININGS: (more to come)
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